Landscape With River 1954

Nutzi Acontz made this landscape painting with oil on canvas, using a palette of greens, browns, and blues. I can just imagine Acontz standing there, bristles in hand, trying to capture the light shimmering on the water. There are hints of gold along the riverbank and in the water, which makes me think of a memory rather than a direct representation of what’s in front of her. I like how the paint is applied so loosely; look at those horizontal strokes of tan, like sunshine breaking through the clouds! You can almost feel the breeze. Acontz’s work reminds me of the early Impressionists like Monet and Sisley, painters also trying to capture the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere. It’s like she's asking: how can paint embody a feeling, not just a view? And I think she gets there. It's paintings like this that remind me we're all in dialogue, each artist responding to those who came before, and setting the stage for those who will follow.